The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week accepted a consensus decision by the parties in the PJM Interconnection market monitoring case and ordered that Commission General Counsel John S. Moot serve as facilitator of the settlement process.

The parties to the case notified the Commission last Thursday that they wanted Moot, with the assistance of a specialist from the Commission’s Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), to facilitate settlement of their dispute over independence of the PJM market monitor. None of the parties objected to the selection.

By doing so, the parties met the Commission’s deadline established in a Sept. 20 order outlining the parameters of the settlement process.

“It is encouraging to see that the parties to this case are working to resolve their differences,” Commission Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher said. “The goal here is to work together to assure the independence of the market monitor and to preserve the integrity and smooth operation of the PJM market.”

Moot now will become a non-decisional Commission employee with regard to this case.

The Commission’s decision today sets the settlement process into motion: It gives Moot and the DRS specialist 45 days to make an interim report on settlement talks, with a filing by Nov. 5. A final report is to be submitted to the Commission by Dec. 19.